Sounders acquire Shalrie Joseph from Chivas USA

The star midfielder is on the move to the Pacific Northwest, as the Sounders acquired him and draft picks from Chivas USA while improving their standing in the allocation order.

Shalrie Joseph is on the move to the Pacific Northwest. For real this time.

After one of the most decorated midfielders in MLS history was spotted at Sounders training a couple of weeks ago only to have speculation of a deal played down by Seattle coach Sigi Schmid, Joseph was acquired by the Sounders on Tuesday. Seattle also received second-round draft picks in the 2014 and 2015 MLS SuperDrafts and Chivas USA's No. 3 place in the MLS allocation order. Chivas drops down to 15th in the allocation order and has Joseph's Designated Player salary come off the books.

Joseph, whose base salary in 2012 was $495,000 according to MLS Players Union documents, will remain a Designated Player for the Sounders. He provides ample depth in central midfield and also some potential cover at center back, where he played at times last season. Center back stalwart Jeff Parke was dealt to Philadelphia earlier in the offseason. He becomes the club's third DP, along with Mauro Rosales and Christian Tiffert. Fredy Montero, who was a DP last season, is on loan for this season with Colombian champion Millonarios.

Joseph, 34, is a four-time MLS Best XI honoree, a seven-time All-Star and played in three MLS Cups with the New England Revolution. He was dealt to Chivas USA last season for midfielder Blair Gavin, a draft pick and allocation money. The Grenadian international is slated to join the club in Tucson, Ariz., to resume preseason training.

"We’re happy to add a player of Shalrie’s experience to our team," Schmid said in a team statement. "He’s been to MLS Cups before in his tenure with New England. He’s a player that has proven himself to be a leader in game situations and a player of his quality can only help us be a better team as we move into this season."